Russia will help the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan fight against the Afghan branch of the Islamic State, Moscow’s special representative for the country was quoted as saying on Friday.
Zamir Kabulov, a former Russian ambassador to Afghanistan, referred to Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) as the “common enemy” of Moscow and Kabul.
“We see and appreciate the efforts that the Taliban are making in the fight against the Afghan wing of ISIS,” Kabulov told the RIA state news agency in an interview.
“We will provide our best assistance to the authorities of (Afghanistan) through specialised structures.”
He said Moscow’s suspension of the ban on the Taliban “finally removes all obstacles to full cooperation between our countries in various fields”.
“The arrival of the Afghan ambassador in Moscow will put an end to this issue.”
Kabulov said Moscow and Kabul were building up ties in multiple spheres and told RIA that Russia had offered to accredit an Afghan ambassador in Moscow and was waiting for Kabul’s response.
No country currently recognises the Taliban government that seized power in August 2021 as US-led forces staged a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of war.
